Japan mulls defense forces' role in Afghanistan

[unhappycamper]

Japan mulls defense forces' role in Afghanistan
By Kevin Baron, Stars and Stripes
Stars and Stripes online edition, Wednesday, October 21, 2009

TOKYO – Japan’s new minister of defense on Wednesday said his government was looking into what role its defense forces can continue to contribute to the war in Afghanistan beyond its civilian participation.

Toshimi Kitazawa said the new government, which has said it would end a refueling mission for coalition warships, has not decided yet what it can do but indicated civilian and economic support seemed insufficient.

His comments in a joint press conference came at the end of nearly two days of meetings between Japan’s leadership and Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

Gates told his counterpart that whatever Japan decides is up to that government, but he suggested one area the wealthy nation could help is providing badly needed financing “the expansion and sustainment” of Afghanistan’s security forces.

Whatever Japan decides, he said, “I hope its contribution would be commensurate with its standing as a great power."


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=65536



unhappycamper comment: Looks like the Empire is trying to twist arms to get other folks to pay for the mess we made. The Japanese should tell Gates to take a flying fuck at a rolling donut.